Collection 188 - Olney Taylor Diary, March 20-December 1, 1882

Creator: Taylor, Olney

Provenance Note: The Olney Taylor diary was donated to Special Collections by Miss Emma L. Taylor of Pasadena, California on September 15, 1964.

Historical Note: Olney Taylor came to Montana from Maine in 1882 where he settled on land near Park City in the lower Yellowstone River valley. He established several fruit orchards, especially experiencing success with apples. Taylor also served as a member of the Montana State Board of Horticulture and wrote a report on fruit culture in the First Annual Report of the Montana Farmer's Institutes (Helena: Independent Publishing Company, 1902), 189-194.

Content Description Note: The Taylor papers consist of a small pocket diary kept by Olney on his first trip to Montana in 1882. The diary begins with his departure from Waterville, Maine on March 20 and describes the train journey to Montana. On arrival in the Yellowstone Valley, Taylor recorded his purchase of land from a neighbor on April 25 and kept daily entries thereafter, usually giving local weather conditions and a very brief synopsis of his farming activities. Taylor's diary documents the building of his log home and outbuildings, the initial planting of his first orchards, and mentions several other area settlers. Other papers in the collection include some newspaper clippings and an original poem written on Montana State Board of Horticulture stationery. A typed transcription of the diary is also available.